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LP Monday Message: A lot of Americans identify as libertarians

Posted on Feb 1, 2010

February 1, 2010

Dear Friend of Liberty,

An analysis published by the Cato Institute on January 21 offers a variety of statistics to support the notion that Americans are becoming more libertarian, and that they are becoming more comfortable with the word "libertarian" itself. I thought this study was very interesting, and I encourage you to take a look at it.

According to the study, a 2006 Zogby poll posed the following question to a sample of voters: "Would you describe yourself as fiscally conservative and socially liberal, also known as libertarian?" Apparently 44% of the respondents said "yes"! That's very encouraging to me, because I had thought the word "libertarian" was scary or confusing to most people. I doubt that all of those 44% really have political views that I would describe as libertarian, but I think it's great that they feel comfortable with the libertarian label.

The authors of the study used a different poll to determine how many voters are actually libertarian. According to their criteria, about 15% of voters are libertarian. I think one of the most important jobs of the Libertarian Party is to make sure that libertarian voters are voting for Libertarian Party candidates. There is a lot of untapped potential out there.

What can you do to help? A lot of things. You can join the LP or make a contribution. You can become a Libertarian candidate, which will give you great opportunities to express Libertarian viewpoints to the public. You can volunteer locally with your Libertarian Party affiliate. Even something as simple as putting a bumper sticker on your car that says "Libertarian" is great. (In fact, some marketing and campaign professionals estimate that's worth at least $200 in advertising!)

Whatever the level of involvement you're comfortable with, please try to do something.

P.S. If you have not yet become a member of the Libertarian Party and
wish to do so, please click here and join the only political party
dedicated to free markets and civil liberties. If you need to renew,
please click here. If you would like to make a contribution separate
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The Libertarian Party is America's third largest political party, founded in 1971. Our vision is for a world in which all individuals can freely exercise the natural right of sole dominion over their own lives, liberty and property by building a political party that elects Libertarians to public office, and moving public policy in a libertarian direction.